Torrington police chief drives idea of regional traffic squad

TORRINGTON - Police Chief Michael Maniago told Board of Public Safety members Wednesday he is working with police chiefs in neighboring towns to develop a regional traffic enforcement squad.

Maniago said the task force would include the towns of Middlebury, Naugatuck, Thomaston, Watertown and Winsted with members of the unit being paid by their respective departments. The squad would operate at least one day in each town per month and also be involved in DUI enforcement and special patrols in troubled areas.

The idea of a regional traffic squad is not a new idea, Maniago said during an interview Thursday afternoon. "We have had a squad in Torrington before, and if the funding is there, this would provide a great resource to the community."

Maniago said the idea is still in the formative stages and so far the response from the other department has been positive. The chief said since most towns are working on their budgets, they would have to find room within each plan, rather than ask for extra funds.

Administrative work still needs to be completed. That would include crafting a memorandum of understanding between the municipalities. Maniago said once that work is done and everything is finalized fiscally, the plan could begin in a relatively short period of time.

"It is worthwhile to have six officers in one city at one time doing traffic enforcement," Maniago said. "We should at least give it a chance.

Maniago said the plan would in instituted professionally and said, "It will be done right or not done at all."

The idea was part of a larger traffic presentation the chief delivered to the board Wednesday night.

In his report Maniago said a traffic squad was formed several years ago by the Torrington Police Department, but was ill-conceived and improperly managed and staffed. The squad was formed without any guidance and was doomed to fail from the start.

"The administration has placed a high importance on traffic enforcement," Maniago wrote. "This does not mean that everyone who drives a car is going to get an infraction or a summons, rather officers are given latitude to utilize their discretion when making motor vehicle stops."

Since stepping up enforcement in 2008, accidents have decreased each year from 1,121 that year to 1,095 in 2011. At the same time, traffic enforcement has ramped up. In 2008, 4,425 traffic stops were conducted which increased each year to 9,728 in 2011.

Maniago said factors for evaluating a high-volume problem area are more than just poor driving behavior. Other reasons such as traffic volume, traffic control devices, road construction, light of sight, rural or business area classification and infrastructure design also come into play.

"The formation of a regional traffic squad will help to perform concentrated traffic enforcement duties, but unfortunately will not be visible more than one or two days a month," Maniago wrote. "To perform consistent high intensity traffic enforcement, a dedicated team for the city must be employed."

Board of Public Safety members seemed in support of Maniago's plan and asked for more information at the group's March meeting.

Reach Mike Agogliati by email at magogliati@registercitizen.com and by telephone at (860) 489-3121 Ext. 324. On Twitter @mikeagogliati and @registercitizen.

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